This new book by William Ginn, founder of NatureVest at TNC, outlines the need to invest trillions in renewing our large-scale infrastructure, from energy production to water delivery systems. While the business world has often exploited nature, he argues that its entrepreneurial talent and financial capital are critical resources for developing solutions to global issues while protecting natural systems.
As I sat down to write this article, a story appeared on CNN about the Whoa Nellie Farm in Acme, PA. I had no choice but to start the article with them because when, due to covid-19 supply chain disruptions, the farm’s milk processor stopped purchasing their milk, so they ramped up the bottling and pasteurization operation on the farm and put out a call to their community. Before long, there was a line of cars.
As the demand for meat continues to escalate during this pandemic, the store shelves grow bare and the food supply system shows cracks. Sustainable, smaller production models, like Niman Ranch, are succeeding and supporting the families who work the land and raise the animals. At Native American Natural Foods, we believe buffalo can positively impact the future of a more sustainable food system.
Acquisition International magazine, based in London, has announced the winners of the 2020 Business Excellence Award. The goal of the Awards is to shine a spotlight on the achievements of entrepreneurs, managers, owners and founders around the world. The GreenMoney Journal team is honored to receive this award, which is our fifth significant award over the last 3 years.
The winner in the Impact Investing category of Fast Company’s 2020 World Changing Ideas Awards, is As You Sow’s “Invest Your Values” online tool, which gives users a chance to view what’s in the funds they’re investing in and — if they don’t like what they find — to pick a mutual fund more aligned with their goals. It helps everyday investors to align their investing with their values.
By investing in companies providing solution-oriented products and services aligned with themes — from renewable energy systems and electric vehicles to breakthrough medical technologies, healthy and organic food, and lending for underserved communities — the new Fund is designed to help create a more sustainable future and provide investors an opportunity to better align their portfolios with the SDGs.
As I write this, the pandemic we’re experiencing has warned me that perhaps the days of buying expensive gear and plane tickets to travel halfway around the world to fish, ski, climb and surf may be over, if not greatly reduced. But we still need to eat. In fact, I think the only revolution we’re likely to see is in agriculture, and I want to be a part of that revolution.
Providing investors and industry stakeholders with publicly available ESG metrics for tens of thousands of funds, companies and indexes is helping to drive awareness, educate the market and raise ESG disclosure standards. MSCI believes that enhanced transparency and comparability is fundamental to ensuring broader adoption of ESG indexes, and in driving capital towards more sustainable investments.
(From the Archives) As organic food sales are increasing, consumers are also drinking more organic, no sulfites added, wine. So far in 2020, in light of the global pandemic, organic wine sales are rising as people are choosing to eat and drink pure products for their health and the health of the planet, because we know that sound organic farming practices will build healthy soil today and nourish future generations tomorrow.
The food and ag sector is transitioning towards more sustainable food production and consumption. Growing environmental and resource pressures, changing consumer demands, innovation, and regulations are disrupting depletive practices and unhealthy preferences. We now see new fast-growing insurgent companies and changing business models leading to investment opportunities.
